I had a lot of respect for Alex Rodriguez until he admitted to lying.
What he does on or off the field doesn't matter to me anymore. If I saw him in a commercial I would think he wasn't telling the truth. And if he hit a home run, most fans would say it was the steroids.
What to do with A-Rod? Barry Bonds has yet to be convicted of using steroids, yet he has been basically banned from baseball.
A-Rod deserves no less.
Rodriguez knew exactly what he was doing. Once a liar, always a liar, until proven otherwise. If A-Rod didn't feel what he was doing was illegal or wrong, why did he lie about it?
He lied when first asked if he used steroids, and he is lying now.
Baseball needs cleaned up. Players were once gauged on raw talent and performance. Apparently players continue to be selected in this manner, but with a catch. Certainly competition is extensive, but if one can't cut it without drugs, go do something else. You don't love the game.
Whether it's Michael Vick, Barry Bonds, Michael Phelps or A-Rod, the money corrupted them. Stupid? Certainly, but we all have to pay for our mistakes - unless you make millions a year.
William Snyder Jr.
Altoona
No longer proud of Reed
I was very disappointed when I read the recent article in the paper about the restroom tantrum that Jeff Reed threw at the Sheetz store in New Alexandria.
The reason why I felt so had about the occurrence was while the Steeler season was in full swing and before any idea that they would be headed for a sixth Super Bowl title, I had felt he was the Steeler who never received enough credit.
I told my young nephew and nieces that I would like a Jeff Reed jersey because I felt he didn't get enough credit for his large participation on the Steeler team. There were Ben, Troy and Hines jerseys everywhere you looked but never one for Jeff Reed.
In at least two of the games this year, Jeff had the winning field goals to help clinch an AFC title as well as another Super Bowl. So Christmas rolls around, and I received a Jeff Reed jersey from my nephew and nieces.
They were thrilled to watch me open it on Christmas morning and, of course, I wore it proudly for the remaining playoff games and for the Super Bowl. Once again Jeff did his part to make anyone proud to be part of the Steeler Nation.
Even though he is in the limelight he, too, is only human and unfortunately has made an error in judgment. I hope that this was just a isolated incident, and Jeff learns from this tantrum and is remorseful for causing it.
I would hate to think I would have to retire my Jeff Reed jersey after such a history making Steeler season.
Connie Hurd
Hollidaysburg
Giger column right on
I cannot agree more with Cory Giger's sentiments (Sunday, Feb. 15) regarding Michael Vick.
Unfortunately in today's society, we tend to give too many second chances (and in some cases third, fourth, fifth, etc., chances) to those who are the least deserving.
Vick, along with many other professional athletes - and let's admit, it is not limited only to the NFL - is nothing more than a street thug who happened upon his 15 minutes of fame through athletic prowess.
Just because you are a good athlete does not mean you are a good person. Society needs to stop confusing the two.
It is time to stop accepting the excuses and giving second chances, and to hold people accountable for their actions, no matter what level of fame or success they have achieved.
Michael Vick has no respect for anything living, and deserves as much understanding, sympathy, and compassion as he showed those dogs who were abused and trained to fight to the death: none.
Cathy Kozak
Hollidaysburg
Focus on illegal hunting
The most important pages published in the 2008-2009 PA Hunting and Trapping Digest are pages 62-63.
These pages are written by Richard Palmer on the illegal hunting taking place in our state.
Please take the time to read this article and see why Pennsylvania has become the favorite poaching grounds of our bordering states.
After more than a year's time, we still wait for our state government to legislate a serious law to control this problem.
Real jail time and the confiscation of weapons and vehicles is required.
I am most disappointed with the Mirror's outdoor writers for not better addressing this problem. They set more importance on telling us of the ''famous'' people that they hunt or fish with or promote commercial ventures that benefit themselves or the Mirror.
Perhaps the Mirror should publish the full article some Sunday.
Bob Richers
Altoona
